Water harvesting device

ABSTRACT

A water harvesting device comprising a plurality of longitudinal walls, at least one wall adjacent to a wall of an existing structure; the plurality of walls defining at least one water storage area with a height such that water pressure is enhanced; and the water storage area operatively engaging at least one water source.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/106,356, filed Oct. 17, 2008, which is incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to water harvesting devicescommonly referred to as rain barrels. More particularly, the presentinvention relates to such devices for use in residential,multi-residential and commercial applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It can be appreciated that water harvesting devices or rain barrels havebeen around for years. The purpose of these devices is quite simple:capturing and storing water for subsequent use. Commonly these deviceshave collected rainwater from water sources as an eaves and downspoutsystem and provide the ability to disperse the water when needed.

With the growing concern regarding water consumption and in an effort toreuse more natural resources one environmentally friendly solution hasbeen to implement more of these devices. An increase in popularity ofuse of these devices demands the need for improved solutions to theirinherent drawbacks.

One major concern surrounding these devices is that in order to storethe amount of rain fallen a higher volume capacity tank is required.Many current models on the market do not provide adequate water storagearea. An average residential building can collect over 500 litres ofwater with just two millimetres of rain.

There are prior art water harvesting devices that contain a high volumecapacity but these have been designed significantly larger in size thanwhat may be desired by a property owner.

Another option presented in the prior art has been the burying of thesedevices underground. This option requires significant effort at the timeof installation and may make maintenance more challenging or, in somecases, impossible. There is a need for a high volume capacity solutionthat provides a device that is not only less obstructive and but alsovisually appealing.

Another issue surrounding many of the prior art devices is that thewithdrawal of water is quite labour intensive, relying on the user tomanually draw water using watering cans or slow distribution means.There is a need for a higher pressure water harvesting device that wouldbetter aid in the extraction of water for its various uses. As one mainuse for the water from the water harvesting devices is the irrigation oflawns or gardens, it would be useful to have a water harvesting devicethat better facilitates irrigation needs.

Some disadvantages of current water harvesting devices is that they havea limited volume capacity, and are obtrusive and unattractive.

Therefore, there is provided a novel water harvesting device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed at a water harvesting devicecomprising; a plurality of longitudinal walls, at least one walladjacent to a wall of an existing structure, the plurality of wallsdefining a water storage area with a height such that water pressure isenhanced, and the water storage area is operatively engaged to at leastone water source such as a downspout of an eavesdrop or the like.

In one embodiment, the water harvesting device provides improvedfunctionality for water extraction or enhanced irrigation. Furthermore,the disclosure is directed at a device which has an increase in volumecapacity while minimizing the breadth of the device. Another feature ofone embodiment is to mitigate instability as a result of increasingstorage volume of a water harvesting device. The design of the waterharvesting device allows for it to be efficiently and effectivelyshipped and stored without wasted storage space.

In one aspect of the present invention, the water harvesting devicecontains a large water storage area to increase its volume capacitywhile remaining unobtrusive and visually appealing as it occupies lessspace adjacent to a building than a traditional rain barrel. The devicemay provide for an enhanced ability for water extraction and irrigationfor the user with the enhanced water pressure.

The present invention generally comprises a water storage area that ishigher in stature than a typical rain barrel. The storage volume may beincreased while the breadth of the storage area is minimized to be lessobtrusive than the traditional barrel. The reduced breadth of the devicealso allows it to be used in areas where building may be close togetherand a traditional rain barrel would not allow enough clearance betweenthe buildings.

Another aspect of the present invention is the longitudinal height ofthe unit that allows for increased water elevation, which may furtherbenefit the water removal and irrigation ability of the device as theremay be an increase in pressure at the bottom portions of the waterstorage area.

With a mere increase in height a traditional water harvesting device mayhave challenges. The present invention has contemplated this situationand appropriate solutions have been designed as described below. Onesuch feature of the present invention is the inclusion of biasing meansallowing for the increased stability of the water storage area bybiasing the load of the water harvesting device towards the building totake advantage of the solid building the device resides against. Anothersuch feature is the discrete integration of aesthetic features that addto the strength of the device in needed areas.

A further aspect of the present invention enables the user to collect asignificant amount of rainwater from the roof top collection without theneed to install a bulky, traditionally shaped unit. The presentinvention also provides for an improved water extraction and irrigationcapability.

Another aspect of the present invention is the ability to ship and storethe units efficiently. With the sleek and compact design the units arebetter able to stack saving on wasted space during shipping and storing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, preferred embodiments of the invention are illustratedby way of example. It is to be expressly understood that the descriptionand drawings are only for the purpose of illustration and as an aid tounderstanding and are not intended as a definition of the limits of theinvention. Various other objects, features and attendant advantages ofthe present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomesbetter understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference characters designate the same orsimilar parts throughout the several views, and wherein;

FIG. 1 a illustrates an installed water harvesting device according toone embodiment;

FIG. 1 b illustrates a side view of an installed water harvestingdevice;

FIG. 2 a illustrates a corner unit of an installed water harvestingdevice according to an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 2 b illustrates a top perspective view according to an alternativeembodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates an improved irrigation installation;

FIG. 4 a illustrates the nesting ability of multiple units according toone embodiment; and

FIG. 4 b illustrates an isometric view of the stacked units according toone embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which the preferredembodiment is shown in the various configurations to describe theinvention. It will be understood that while the invention is describedwith respect to the preferred embodiment the device may be configureddifferently while achieving the essence of the invention.

FIG. 1 a illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention inan installed position. The water harvesting device 10, defined by aplurality of longitudinal walls, is shown adjacent to a wall 15 of asingle level building, an existing structure. The water harvestingdevice may be located adjacent to any wall that contains a water sourcesuch as a downspout 17. The wall 15 is shown with downspout 17 feedingrain water into the device 10 through the water entry opening 25.

The water harvesting device is shown in FIG. 1 a as proportionately tallwith respect to the height of the wall 15 and the roof line 30. Ideallyto improve the benefit of the present invention the height of the waterharvesting device should be heightened more toward the height of thewall. In a single story dwelling for example the height may be close tothe height of the wall of the existing structure with for an appropriatereduction in height to allow for the water source, which may include theeavesdrop and/or downspout, to enter the water entry opening. The waterharvesting device may be shorter although the water pressure will bereduced as the height of the device is decreased.

The plurality of longitudinal walls may be designed to allow for a talland slender shape of the water harvesting device. This shape may enablea large volume storage capacity while also minimizing the breadth ofarea or footprint the storage volume consumes away from wall 15. This isparticularly useful for newer homes as they are typically built closertogether and the slender base better facilitates more room and a betterpassage way between the homes. Preferably the units may be as slender asapproximately 16 to 18 inches but this measurement may be reduced to aslittle as 12 inches and could be increased substantially although thatwould increase the obtrusiveness of the water harvesting device 10. Inthe preferred embodiment, such tall and slender construction enablesdiscrete volume capacity beyond the 50-70 gallon capacity typicallyknown in the art.

A plurality of water harvesting devices may easily be ganged togetheralong the wall if needed to multiply storage capacity, all slender, alltight to wall and having limited obtrusiveness away from wall. Methodsfor attaching these units alongside one another are known in the art.Thus the present invention allows for storage volume capacity tight tothe wall with the less obtrusiveness or less distance or less footprintaway from the wall. Access to the water may be provided through a spout,or distribution head as further described below. Other access means thatmay be known in the art are contemplated.

FIG. 1 b illustrates a side view of water harvesting device 10respective of wall 15 and ground surface 33. Device 10 is shown restingon ground 33 at fulcrum area 35. Fulcrum area 35 is a part of the waterharvesting device further away from the wall. Device 10 has a bottom 38that may be non-flat and may have a space between the ground and thedevice 10 as it approaches the wall.

The weight by gravity acting through the center of gravity respective ofthe fulcrum area 35 and bottom 38 is such that it provides a biasingmeans or apparatus for the water harvesting device 10. The biasing meansmay bias the device towards the wall 15 in the direction shown as ‘F’.This biasing means can provide stability for the water harvesting device10 as the higher amount of weight by rain water within the water storagearea of the device 10 causes more bias toward the building. The morebias in the device the higher the stability will be. Though the non-flatbottom 38 is preferred to naturally provide extra stability, the presentinvention may alternatively have a flat bottom but rely on fasteningmeans for fastening the device to the wall 15.

Providing space between the bottom 38 and the ground 33 at the wall 15may be functional in providing biasing of the water harvesting device tothe wall 15. FIG. 1 b further illustrates the vertex of an angle in thesame location as the fulcrum 35 and an angle between the bottom 38 andthe ground 33 below it. If the ground is level, the angle should be atan angle of at least 1 degree to achieve a space at the wall between thebottom 38 and the ground. Depending on the condition of the groundsurface however, compensation for any surface inconsistencies as well astypical grading from a residence, an angle of at least 5 degrees may bemore practical. While high grades in hill or mountain regions mayrequire higher angles and an upper angle limit of 30 degrees may besuitable.

A balance between application needs, volume capacity and ensuringbiasing of the device is arguably the best approach. It should befurther noted that while attempting to better describe an ideal angularrange of the bottom and the broad nature of various applications, steepversus gradual slopes for example, one skilled in the art willunderstand that ground flattening preparation is always an option.Accordingly, while bottom angles may be best between 5 and 30 degreesrespective of the ground, angles of less than 5 degrees and more than 30degrees still falls within the scope of the invention.

Furthermore, the bottom 38 should not be limited to a flat, angledbottom. As long as there is a fulcrum area 35 contacting the ground onone side of the center of gravity and the wall 15 is on the other sideand there is a space at the wall, the water harvesting device 10 maybias toward the wall 15. Other bottom details and other biasing meansare contemplated and are within the scope of the invention. For highergrade ground, means for securing the fulcrum to the ground such as aground spike or the like may be necessary.

The slenderness of the device may reduce overall wind resistance pergallon when compared with the traditional water harvesting deviceslessening the need for wall fastening. This slenderness, in combinationwith the biasing means for increased stability against the wall maynegate the need for fastening requirements. Fastening the device to thewall may still be recommended for proper installation to avoid anydislodging of the water harvesting device during high winds. In thepreferred embodiment, the device may be connected by means of a bracket43, however other fastening means are contemplated.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 b, as height ‘h’ of the water harvesting devicenears ‘h2 ’ of the wall, water pressure increases at the lower portionof the device 10 with the highest pressure being located at bottom 38.This principle may enhance the ability for extraction of water fromdevice 10 which may benefit a user with improved irrigation capacitiesof device 10.

FIG. 2 a shows the water harvesting device as a corner unit, analternate embodiment of the present invention. Corner unit 50 mayfunction similarly to device 10 but may have additional benefits asdescribed below.

As downspouts may be located close to the corners of an already existingstructure, the corner unit 50 may be operatively engaged to a pluralityof water sources. For example, there could be a downspout 17 on eitherwall 15 at the corner 55 of the building. The corner shape providesfurther volume capacity as it may contain multiple water storage areas,for example, one for each wall 15. The multiple water storage areaconstruction provides a stronger shape for handling higher water weightfrom increased storage capability.

FIG. 2 b illustrates the corner unit 50 with the force ‘F’ in multipledirections. The corner unit 50 may rest on and contacts the ground 33 atthe fulcrum area. The fulcrum area of the corner unit 50 is defined as aportion or all of the area in close proximity to the area referenced byA-A-A. The fulcrum area is optimally constructed to best balance theunit against both walls 15 and corner 55. Support in multiple directionswill add stability to the unit and lessen or eliminate the number ofbrackets that may be required to secure the corner unit 50 to eitherwall 15.

FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of an installed corner unit of thewater harvesting device 50. The corner unit 50 with a height ‘h’ isnearing height ‘h2 ’, the height of the roof line 30. As ‘h’ nears ‘h2’the higher the pressure that may be created by the rain water stored inthe tank. The higher pressure facilitates water extraction from thelower portions of the device and may assist any irrigation needs forareas surrounding the device.

Irrigation capabilities are further illustrated in FIG. 3 which showsdistribution head 60 located at a lower portion of corner unit 50.Whether manually operated or automatically operated, the distributionhead 60 may be connected to one or more irrigation line 65 or otherirrigation devices. As the distribution head 60 is placed in an openflowing position, the water may be dispersed through the irrigationlines 65 and into the desired area for watering.

With the increased water pressure the water harvesting device in thepresent invention will allow for natural irrigation without the need fora pump, although a pump could be installed if desired. The distributionhead 60 can be constructed to be opened manually by the user or to beautomated.

Automated flow control in distribution head 60 may be provided byinstalling devices such as a programmable computer, sensors, mechanicaltiming devices and the like. Although irrigation is enhanced with thehigher height water harvesting device and the distribution head 60, itshould be clear to one skilled in the art that the distribution head 60may still function with a regular height barrel, though with lesspressure. The irrigation line 65 may feed various output methods, as oneskilled in the art would know and as an example, sprinkle irrigation,drip irrigation, a reservoir or multiple holes within the line fordistribution of the water.

Another aspect of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 3 is theshape allows the device to be better concealed with the existingstructure by matching the general appearance of the building. Theplurality of longitudinal walls may appear as fascia-sided walls. Apattern that better matches the side of a wall would benefit to furtherblend the device 50 with the wall 15.

The optional fascia-sided walls may serve a dual purpose. First, theymay improve the appearance of the water harvesting unit and second theymay provide a significant and discrete increase in structure from anon-fascia-sided model. The fascia-sided water harvesting device mayprovide for added strength for supporting the water load. As an example,siding may be overlapped and each overlap while emulating the appearanceof siding and can also create strengthening ribs 80 as betterillustrated in FIG. 3. The strengthening ribs 80 may be placed along thefull walls of the water harvesting device, the lower strengthening ribsmay be increased for greater strength toward the bottom of the device toaccommodate the increased load at the bottom of the device.

Similarly, if the walls were to appear as brick (not shown), the brickand brick spacing channels combined may also offer a significantlystrong wall design yet remain aesthetically pleasing. Otherstrengthening features such as process pinch-offs or double wall areasmay be more easily hidden or discretely integrated. The ability tocombine structure into the walls allows for the ability to reduce wallthickness or use lower strength materials, both cost-saving techniques.As an example, the water harvesting function may be constructed usingbio-based materials which although may be more environmentally friendlymay be lower strength than other traditional materials. The presentinvention contemplates other materials being used to fabricate the waterharvesting device including plastics, steel or other appropriate metalsknown to people in the art, or wood or any combination or hybridthereof.

FIG. 4 a illustrates a further advantage created by the shape of thewater harvesting device. The water harvesting devices' longitudinalwalls are able to nest together for improved shipping and storageefficiencies over traditionally shaped rain barrels. More units ofdevice 10 are able to be stored in a smaller area as the bottoms 38 areplaced at opposing ends for each adjacent unit. The nesting allows for areduction of wasted space when transporting or storing the waterharvesting devices. The device further allows for structurally nestingof the units, in the case of the fascia-sided unit when the units arestacked as in FIG. 4 a each unit inter-nests with an adjacent unit toreduce or eliminate movement during shipment or storage.

FIG. 4 b illustrates a three-dimensional isometric view of multipleunits of the water harvesting device 10. This representation illustrateshow the devices can fit in a smaller volume and provide for improvedshipping and storage efficiency over traditional rounded models.

With respect to the above description, it may be realized that theoptimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, toinclude variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and mannerof operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obviousto one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to thoseillustrated in the drawings and described in the specification areintended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

1. A water harvesting device comprising: a plurality of longitudinalwalls, at least one wall adjacent to a wall of an existing structure;the plurality of walls defining at least one water storage area with aheight such that water pressure is enhanced; and the water storage areaoperatively engaging at least one water source.
 2. A water harvestingdevice as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a biasing means locatedat the bottom of the device.
 3. A water harvesting device as claimed inclaim 2 wherein the biasing means allows for the water harvesting deviceto bias towards the wall of the existing structure.
 4. A waterharvesting device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising adistribution head operatively connected to the water storage area.
 5. Awater harvesting device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the distributionhead is connected to irrigation lines.
 6. A water harvesting device asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the plurality of walls allow for a pluralityof devices to nest with one another.
 7. A water harvesting device asclaimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of wallsincorporates enhanced aesthetics.
 8. A water harvesting device asclaimed in claim 7 wherein the enhanced aesthetics is strengthenhancing.
 9. A water harvesting device as claimed in claim 1 whereinthe plurality of longitudinal walls are fascia-sided walls.
 10. A waterharvesting device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the fascia-sided wallsare siding covered walls.
 11. A water harvesting device as claimed inclaim 7 wherein the fascia-sided walls are brick covered walls.